laser eye surgery and marksmanship

[Friar_Tuck]

My eyes have gotten pretty bad and I think I need glasses. I have an astigmatism and my right eye is much worse than the left, I can pass the DMV test for my left eye but I don't think I'll be able to pass with my right next time. Anyway, I was wondering if anyone with an astigmatism tried the laser correction and if so, did it help your marksmanship? I can't seem to get the sights and the target in focus at the same time anymore and I'm squinting terribly trying to do it. (I know I need glasses, but just wondering if this surgery might be a viable alternative).

[BigDogatPlay]

I had LASIK done several years ago to correct near sightedness and a pronounced astigmatism in my left eye. I still have a very slight astigmatism, but not enough to affect me. 20/25 in my left eye, better than 20/20 in my right eye. My marksmanship is every bit as good as it ever was although at first I had a bit of getting used to it. Played softball about a week after the procedure and struck out four times... first time in my life, baseball or softball. Within a couple of weeks I was hitting fine again.

FWIW... the front sight should be in focus and the target just a bit blurry depending on how far off it is regardless of your level of correction.

[hkusp]

What kind of astigmatism?

If you have "irregular" astigmatism the LASIK might not be able to correct it, at least that was the case 10 years ago when I had it done. Check with an opthalmologist to get evaluated. My eyes used to be 20/150R and 20/200L with "regular" astigmatism before the surgery, now they are 20/20 and 20/25 BUT I had to get the left eye done twice. My nearsightedness was so severe the first time didn't work very well and I got freaked out that my eyesight was compromised.

Definitely do your research on potential side effects too. Not to scare you, but there are some pretty bad stories of people having to get corneal transplants due to botched LASIK. You should know the risks beforehand.

Off topic: the doctor, Glenn Kawesch, who did my eyes was later convicted of fraud and tax evasion and finally was found dead in a hotel room down in Baja.

[Voo]

Taking super sharp aim, the front sight will be in focus with the target blurry. That's how it works, for everyone. You saying both your target and front sight being in focus is a bit "mysterious" to say the least.. unless you have some magical way of focusing in on 2 different objects at once..

I was ridiculously nearsighted until a few years ago. I had the PRK version of laser correction performed. I am now slightly farsighted but I can see a little better than 20/20 when reading the charts. I was never going to be an olympic style bullseye shooter so the slight loss in accuracy/precision is trivial compared to the freedom of not having to wear glasses 24/7. It didnt' help my marksmanship, but astigmatism never hurt it.. I can still hold my own at the 25, 50, and 100 yard lines with my pistol..

They seem so advanced these days.. I would consult with your doctor and let them know what hobbies and interests you have. That way, they can work with you to give you the right correction to suit your lifestyle.

[smird]

Had it done about 10 years ago. About $5000.00 back then. Best money I ever spent. Don't what they can do tech wise now a days.

[Ishoot]

Had it done about 3 years ago. Best 5k+ I've ever spent. Not sure about the markmanship though, I might brain surgery to help me with that.